Joanna is a mother of two and a wife to husband Michael. They followed her dream and migrated from the UK to Australia in 2007.

The day Joanna fell and injured her spinal cord her life was changed forever.

When Joanna came home from hospital many months later, the family had to adapt to new routines, including mealtimes and caregiving responsibilities. It was difficult. Joanna could no longer cook dinner or feed herself. She felt terrible guilt for the impact her injury had on her family.

Joanna’s identity as a mother and wife shifted as she grappled with her injury. She pushed ahead with family activities like holidays and weekend outings, where she had to come to terms with the fact she had to parent from afar. She could no longer be the mum who stood at the water’s edge while her kids played in the ocean.

After ten years, Joanna applied to be part of the Spinal Injury Project Rehabilitation Clinical Trial, funded by the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, where she attended rehabilitation at Making Strides for 16 weeks.

At the completion of the trial Joanna experienced significant physical and emotional changes. She gained strength in her body and a new confidence. She is now doing things she never thought possible.

“Once I finished the trial I noticed the difference in my body. I have gained shoulder strength and I can now roll my shoulders up and down. I can sit in my chair and have my hair done at the salon without my body crumbling.”

Joanna dreams of the day there is a treatment for spinal cord injury.

“It would be a major game changer to be able to clean my own teeth, to scratch an itch and wipe away a tear instead of having to sit there and wait for somebody else to come and help me.”

Recently Joanna shared her story as part of the Foundation’s tax appeal raising nearly $240,000. Thank you to Joanna and her family for inspiring us all.